Go for Tenerife if you prefer popular tourist destinations with great restaurants and nightlife. On the other hand, Gran Canaria is your best bet if you want to explore the breathtaking landscapes and outstanding beaches.
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Although Santa Cruz de Tenerife is also big, if you are looking for a vacation with lots of events or a cosmopolitan city full of life, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the place for you. However, for people looking for tranquility and small but very authentic towns, Tenerife is the best option.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tenerife is €128, while the average daily cost in Gran Canaria is €125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment.
If you want to enjoy a great variety of landscapes and architecture, Tenerife is possibly one of the best Canary Islands for you. It is also ideal if it's your first time traveling to the Canary Islands and you don't have time to visit the other islands or if you are looking for an all-inclusive Canary Islands holiday.
With a plethora of beautiful walks and breathtaking scenery, La Palma is certainly the prettiest Canary Island. Although less known for its beaches, the dramatic black sand beaches are a joy to uncover. The island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protecting its natural heritage.
Despite the rivalry between Gran Canaria and Tenerife, these two Canary Islands are very similar. However, Gran Canaria is a slightly less popular choice than the infamous Tenerife, mostly because the largest Canary island offers a little bit of everything for everybody.
Gran Canaria is a lot like Tenerife, but it's much smaller. However, some families think the beaches are better in Gran Canaria, and there's great scenery too if you fancy heading out into the countryside for a drive: it can get a bit Arizona-like in places!
January is peak cold and wet time in Tenerife, if you want to avoid the wettest month but equally not suffer high temperatures or high prices the best time for you to go is between March and June.
Gran Canaria is not a particularly windy island, except for some areas such as Maspalomas or Agaete. However, its proximity to the Sahara desert means there may be some days of dust storms a year, but this phenomenon rarely hampers visitors from enjoying their vacation.
Average monthly temperaturesThe hottest month of the year is August with an average daily maximum of 29 C and an average low of 23 C. The coolest month of the year is February with an average daily maximum of 21 C and an average low of 16 C.
Also known as the 'miniature continent', Gran Canaria is renowned for its marked contrasts. On a single day, we can enjoy marvellous beaches surrounded by dunes and climb peaks covered in Canary Island pine forests, with their greenery standing out starkly against the dark volcanic earth.
Lanzarote is often referred to as the best Canary Island for beaches and Caletón Blanco is one that belongs on postcards. Squish your toes in pristine white sand on your way to sinking into serene water so clear you can see nail polish shining brightly on the bottom.
Gran Canaria boasts a dynamic nightlife scene with a variety of hubs catering to different tastes. From the bustling capital city of Las Palmas to the lively Playa del Ingles and charming Puerto de Mogan, there's something for everyone.
Here are the best areas in Gran Canaria ??Maspalomas – best area in Gran Canaria ?? Playa del Ingles – best area for nightlife ?? Puerto Rico – lovely beach & resort town in a cosy bay ?? Arguineguin – best area for families & a calm atmosphere ??
In fact, when there are no clouds, you can see the entire island of Tenerife from Gran Canaria, including Las Cañadas caldera, the Teide, smaller hills on the coast, the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Anaga Mountains.
Lanzarote tends to be the hottest and most arid of the Canaries, as it is closest to the Sahara desert and because it is one of the lowest lying islands. The Sahara can bring high temperatures and fine sand to Lanzarote, causing occasional heatwaves.
Even better, house prices in Las Canarias are fairly affordable, if you know where to look… the two cheapest Canary Islands to buy property are Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Incredible natural wonders. Gran Canaria's spectacular natural beauty is a good enough reason why you should visit Las Palmas. An outdoor adventure is never too far away, and just on the doorstep of the city is Caldera de Bandama or the Cauldron of Bandama.
Mount Teide is a dormant volcano in the middle of the island and divides the two halves. In the north, the climate is wetter and cooler, which means it attracts fewer tourists. The south has more sunshine and warmer temperatures. This southern half is also less windy with fewer clouds, which gives a hotter climate.